Agreed completely. ANC headphones have completely changed my listening experience along with my perception of where good audio quality can be had. You realize just how much ambient noise there is in a modern home, along with the noise coming from the neighborhood or environment. When you not hear it, it's a completely transformative experience. With ANC you are completely at one with the audio. Thus, with no other obstructions, the purity of the sound goes right to your ears. That's the very definition of fidelity! Makes passive models seem positively antiquated at that point.